“Integrating art and science to support the body, mind, and nervous system.”
Dana Overman RN, MS, MPH
"Some roads are quiet prayers wrapped in sky and silence — reminders that healing doesn’t always need a destination, only the courage to keep traveling inward."
Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota by Dana Overman
Welcome — I’m So Glad You’re Here
This space was created to honor the powerful connection between art and science, and how — together — they can support healing of the body, mind, and spirit. As both a fine artist and a healthcare professional, I’ve come to understand that creativity and clinical wisdom are not opposites, but partners in whole-person wellness.
What You’ll Find Here
You’ll discover a thoughtful blend of offerings that reflect this integration:
Visual art that explores resilience and fragility
Poetry that speaks directly to the heart
Guided meditations and breathwork to calm the nervous system
Evidence-based tools to support your physical and emotional well-being
Whether you're here to pause, reflect, reset, or begin again, may this space help you reconnect with yourself — and rediscover the beauty of healing as both science and soul.
Explore the Foundational Practices
Inside the Foundational Practices tab, you’ll find a variety of pathways to support your well-being. From meditative breathing techniques to emotional journaling and creative reflection, these tools are designed to meet you where you are — and gently guide you toward a grounded, centered state of being.
The Science of Art & Wellness
The idea that art and science are deeply intertwined is not new. For centuries, artists have expressed what science is now beginning to validate: that music, poetry, and visual expression can awaken the brain, soothe the heart, calm the mind, and help the body reset.
This is the quiet, powerful intersection of evidence and emotion — the science of art and wellness.
Why This Space Exists
As an artist, public health professional, community development ally, meditation teacher, and registered nurse, I created this space to bring together what has too long been kept separate.
Here, the intuitive wisdom of creativity meets the grounded clarity of science — offering you a space that is expressive, evidence-informed, and deeply human.
Come As You Are
Take your time here.
Explore the pieces that resonate.
Stay curious about what feels new.
And return as often as you need.
Because healing isn’t a single path — it’s a relationship.
And you are welcome here, exactly as you are.
“The greatest scientists are the artists as well”
Integration of art + science = improved wellness
Visual Arts
Visual arts are a powerful conduit for wellness, offering a unique way to process emotions, regulate the nervous system, and reconnect with the present moment. Engaging with art — whether through creating or observing — activates the brain’s reward and relaxation centers, reducing stress hormones while enhancing focus, mood, and resilience. For many, visual expression becomes a language beyond words, allowing deep emotional truths to surface and integrate gently. In wellness settings, art isn’t just decorative — it’s therapeutic, grounding, and transformative. It invites us to slow down, to feel, and to heal from the inside out.
Music
Music has a profound impact on our well-being, influencing brain chemistry, emotional balance, and even physical health. The rhythm and melody of music can regulate heart rate, lower blood pressure, and calm the stress response by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system. On a deeper level, music connects us to memory, emotion, and meaning — often expressing what words cannot. Whether used to energize, soothe, grieve, or celebrate, music becomes a bridge between the mind and body, helping us access presence, release tension, and restore a sense of inner harmony. In wellness, music isn’t just background — it’s medicine.
Follow on social
You can use my Instagram page as a daily touchpoint for inspiration, calm, and connection. It offers short, accessible versions of the tools and teachings found on my website — including guided meditation excerpts, affirmations, breathing techniques, art, and poetry. Follow along for gentle reminders to pause, reset, and reconnect with your body, creativity, and inner calm — one breath, one post at a time.
Visit my Pinterest account to explore a curated collection of moving and beautiful images paired with affirmations designed to uplift, ground, and inspire. These visuals reflect the essence of art and wellness — blending color, emotion, and intention. Whether you’re seeking a moment of peace, a spark of motivation, or a gentle reminder of your worth, you’ll find images that speak to both the heart and the nervous system. Save and return to them anytime you need a visual breath of calm.
"Your nervous system comes first — pause before you scroll."
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"Your nervous system comes first — pause before you scroll." 〰️
In a world where connection is always a swipe away, it’s easy to forget that our nervous systems weren’t designed to process so much — so fast, so often, and so intimately. Social media can be a beautiful space for creativity, inspiration, and community, but without intention, it can quickly become a place of silent self-comparison, emotional overstimulation, and sleep disruption.
One scroll too many can blur the line between engaging and escaping. Even when what we consume is positive, the endless stream of images and information can quietly drain us — leaving us more anxious, distracted, or unsettled than we realize.
Comparison is especially sneaky. What starts as “just checking in” can shift into measuring our worth against carefully curated lives. But someone else's highlight reel is never the full story — and your value can never be defined by an algorithm.
To protect your well-being, it's helpful to set boundaries with your screen. Dim the brightness on your phone in the evening, or use "night shift" mode to reduce blue light exposure. The artificial light from screens mimics daylight and suppresses melatonin, the hormone your brain needs to prepare for deep, restorative sleep. Research shows that using devices too close to bedtime can delay sleep onset and decrease sleep quality — even if you're tired.
A good rule of thumb? Try powering down devices at least 60 minutes before bed. Let your body and mind transition to rest without the glow of stimulation. Replace the scroll with something soft: a warm drink, a poem, a breath practice, or gentle silence.
And in the morning — resist the urge to reach for your phone right away. Going straight to your screen trains the brain to enter reaction mode before reflection. You haven’t even heard your own thoughts yet — and already the outside world is shaping your mood. Give yourself a few sacred moments to just be before plugging in.
Social media is a tool — not a truth. When used with care, it can uplift and inspire. But your deepest peace will never come from a feed. It comes from presence, stillness, and remembering that you are already enough, even when you’re offline.
Share your story
I warmly invite you to share your story with me — your reflections, your healing journey, or the ways art and wellness have touched your life — because your voice matters here.